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Twitter was alive last night with so many of my friends having a blast commenting on outfits of the nominated guests. They had a lot to say. And it was quite comical to say the least. But imagine how much fun it would be if you had your closest friends, your next door neighbors in your dorm, and resident fashionistas all together in the same room, giving their commentary – instead of a virtual room online. It would be psychedelic! So below I’ve given a few personal tips on having a chic viewing party on your campus.

[1] NOMINATIONS. For an award show like the Oscars, nominations are announced well before hand. This year, they were announced on Tuesday, february 2nd. About one month and a half in advance of the awards show you anticipate, be on the look out for the nominees announcement.

[2] INVITES. Once you’ve got the coveted list, send out a fun invitation via fbook or Paperlesspost.com (Which is my favorite way to send an invite! See my sample from Paperless.com below and click on it to check out the beta site!) and link your friends to a Google poll you’ve created on nominees for each category. Then, ask them to cast their vote for who they think will be taking the cake for the night! [you can either create your own poll/ballot via Google or download Oscar ballots here]

Invite sample from Paperlesspost.com

[3] SPECIAL BALLOTS. If inviting your entire floor or just a handful of close friends – people who know each other – keep them in mind when creating “special categories” to add to your poll. For example, “Best Party Pooper” aka your friend that never goes out, or “Most Indecisive” for your best girl friend who can’t make up her mind about a few love interests in the life (cough, cough, yeah, you!)

[4] TWITTER. You should know that I’m definitely fan of promoting events on twitter – no matter how small or big. A couple days before your event send a note out to the fashionista friends you’ve invited and ask them if they’d like to give their take on the best outfits and styling of the night. More than likely, they would love to and would be doing so whether or not you asked. The night of your event, ask that they arrive on time (because they will be late, of course) to preview the red carpet looks with the your other guests – and tweet about it!

For example, you will tweet as host (bien sûr!), but also have your fashionista soiree tweeters add the hash tag #HUOscarViewing or #HUOscarParty to their tweets (or if your keen on claiming party rights, use something like #NicholesOscarSoiree). If you’re the first to do it in this style, most likely more will follow and add the same hash tags on twitter if they attend your university. The best laughs will happen after the event when you and your friends can search the hash tag on twitter and see the witty commentary of other viewing parties on your campus that chimed in on the Awards show or in response to your fashionista tweeters.

(ALSO, twitpic the winners of your “special ballots”)

[5] FOOD. What’s any get together without food? Get finger appetizers that your friends would love and be sure to have small paper plates to serve all. But if you’ve spent your last dime on shoes, books, or otherwise? Simply, ask everyone to bring their own plates. Why? Because your providing the food on a student bank account, that’s why! After a recklessly fun night during Howard University’s homecoming, I made pancakes for my entire party crew the next morning. The only requirement in the text I sent out? “BRING YOUR OWN PLATE”. You can even add, “THIS IS STRONGLY ADVISED…or you will not eat”. Just kidding!

But of course this depends on your venue! For your dorm this is fine. For your apartment? Asking your guests to carry a plate in a backpack or purse would be hilarious, but not nice or good-hostess like!

With the above tips your viewing party will be a smaash. But always remember to add a little flavor to all your soirees that’s completely and uniquely you! Like adding velvet red ribbon around your champaign bottles for that red carpet glamour vibe, or simply putting flashy hollywood gift wrapping paper on your door for the night so your guests can immediately spot the party room!

Viewing parties are my favorite types of get-togethers to attend! Invite me to your next one and I’ll be sure to contribute for the occasion!